Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) on Monday announced that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) has approved emergency funding to replace the gymnasium at the Crow Creek Tribal School in South
Dakota.

Daschle, the Senate minority leader, said he worked closely with new BIA head Dave Anderson to secure the funding request, which must now be approved through a reprogramming request by the House of Representatives and Senate Appropriations Committees.

Daschle recently met with Crow Creek Sioux Tribe Chairman Duane Big Eagle to discuss the need for a new gymnasium to replace the existing facility in Stephan. Members of the tribal council also stressed the need, and the BIA Division of Safety and Risk Management deemed the current gymnasium unsafe for occupancy.

Earlier this month, Big Eagle completed a 4,000-mile driving trip to Washington, D.C., to lobby for funds. He said he was told by the BIA that there was no money available. He later met with
Daschle to discuss options.

Following his meeting with Big Eagle, Daschle worked closely with BIA officials to highlight the importance of the facility for the Crow Creek tribal school community and to secure the funding necessary for construction of a new gymnasium.

"Students in Indian Country should not be forced to use dilapidated facilities," said Senator Daschle. "I was pleased to work with the BIA and Crow Creek leadership to secure badly needed funds for a new gymnasium. The Crow Creek community deserves access to a safe facility for important school and community events."

Exact funding levels will be determined by the BIA following the submission of design and construction proposals for the new gymnasium.